Child{3 s occupant propelled riding toy roundabout

ABSTRACT

An amusement device of the type including a movable seating apparatus rotatably mounted on a platform, characterized by the provision of a steering mechanism on the seating apparatus, with the steering mechanism eccentrically rotatably mounted to the platform.

- Umted States Patent 1151 3,677,541 Race 1 51 July 18, 1972 I CHILDS OCCUPANT PROPELLED 1,874,792 8/1932 Myers ..272/33 R RIDING T Y RQUNDABOUT 1,799,409 4/1931 Custer ..272/37 [72] Inventor: Andras Race, Chicago, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Arnold W. Kramer [22] led: 1970 Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord 21 Appl. No.: 98,292

U S. Cl 2 57 ABSTRACT 5 ..27 3 272 7, 2 3 3 Int Cl 3 1 An amusement device of the type nncludmg a movable seatmg apparatus rotatably mounted on a platform characterized y [58] Flezldzof Seangh 372/33 R, 33 A, 33 B, 37,43, the provision of a Steering mechanism on the Seating 7 4 l l paratus, with the steering mechanism eccenttically rotatably c; 104/53, 57, 5s, 59, 64, 68, 74, 75, s1;1)34/5 mounted to the plat/10m [56] References Cited 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,492,017 1/1970 Czichos ..272/35 X l/II Patented July 18, 1972 I VENTOFZ IIIAIIIIIII 7m 3w x b a 2 wnhw c a 6 b I m 1 3 b 0 w m 0 2 8 Q 0 1. HQ

Ian I] AND/Ms RACE 1: w SCUM. WW ATTORNEYS BY 1 km,

CHILDS OCCUPANT PROPELLED RIDING TOY ROUNDABOUT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly, to a self-propelled movable seating apparatus.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art The art is replete with many forms of self-propelled vehicles and amusement devices, such as bicycles, scooters and the like. In addition, there are many forms of mobile seating devices for extremely young children wherein the child may scoot himself about by engagement of his feet with the supporting surface, while seated in the device. It is also known in the amusement device art to provide mobile seating devices which are eccentrically movable, but heretofore, such devices have only been common in the form of a relatively mechanically sophisticated carnival-type amusement rides and the like.

This invention is intended to fulfill a want in the art for a simple, self-actuated, eccentrically movable, mobile seating amusement device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION or THE DRAWINGS FIG. Us a perspective view of the amusement device of this invention; v

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of the amusement device of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. Us a fragmentary enlar ed perspective view of the connection of the steering shaft to the platform.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The amusement device of this invention includes a base 12 and an upper seating member, generally indicated 14. Base 12 is preferably a flat disc-like member of finite dimension, made of a hard, durable material such as a rigid plastic, wood, or the like.

Upper seating member 14 includes a platform 16 preferably in the form of a generally sheet-like panel of hard, durable material, similar to that of the base 12. A plurality of rollable casters I8 are'affixed to, and depend from, the underside 16a of platform 16 and are in rolling engagement with the upper surface 120 of base 12.

An upright generally T-shaped web, or main support means 20,extends upwardly from the upper surface 16b of platform 16 and supports thereon, a seating appliance or chair element 22, including seat portion 22a and upright back portion 22b. chair element 22 is secured to the upright web 20 by means of fasteners 24.

At the opposite end of web 20, there is provided a column portion 26 having a hollow interior 28 open at its opposite ends 28a and 28b. Upper and lower bearings 30a and 30b are provided at the top and bottom of the interior 28. A steering shaft 32 is received within the interior 28 and includes an upright or vertical portion 32a and a lower horizontal or transverse portion 32b. Transverse portion 32b terminates in a socket end 34 having an opening 34a therethrough.

The shaft 32 is surrounded by a lower sleeve 36 positioned intermediate the shaft 32 and lower bearing 30b, and upper sleeve 38 positioned between shaft 32. and upper bearing 30a. Sleeve 38 includes aligned apertures 38a and 38b which may be aligned with cross-bores 40a, 40b or 40c in shaft 32 to adjust the height of the sleeve 38 with respect to the shaft 32 by means of pin 42. Pin 42 is of a size to be capable of insertion through the openings 38a, 38b and one of the cross-bores in shaft 32. Pin 42 serves the purpose of affixing the sleeve to the shaft for rotation therewith and preventing axial withdrawal of the sleeve from the shaft, as well as combining with the aforementioned crossbores and openings to adjust the height of the sleeve relative to the shaft 32. At its upper end, the sleeve has, integrally associated therewith, a steering wheel 44. Thus, rotation of wheel 44 will correspondingly rotate shaft 32.

A hub 46 having a threaded interior 46a is affixed to plate 48, which is fastened, by means of fasteners 50, to the upper surface 12a of base 12. A pivot bolt 52., having a threaded end 54 for reception in the threaded receptacle 46a of hub 46, extends through the opening 34a in socket end 34 of the lower transverse portion of shaft 32. Pivot bolt 52 includes a bearing surface 56 and an enlarged head 58 having a tool-receiving recess 60.

The upper seating member 14 is thus eccentrically mounted relative to the base 12 by means of the pivoted connection of shaft 32 and its lower transverse portion 32b to the base 12. The seating member 14 is also freely rollable within the limits afforded by the shaft 32 by means of the engagement of casters 18 with the surface of platform 12.

In operation, a user may seat himself on the chair element 22 with his feet resting on the upper surface 16a of platform 16. Initial motion of the member 14 is obtained by the user giving a slight, quick; shifting body motion while seated in the chair element 22. Following this, the member 14 will move of its own accord responsive to turning motion imparted to the steering wheel 44 by the user. The rapidity of the movement and pattern thereof, will be governed by the users manipulation of the wheel 44. Generally speaking, the member 14 will travel in a repeating looped path of travel about the pivot point established by the pivot bolt 52. However, the specific loop pattern will vary, depending upon the motion imparted to the steering wheel 44 by a user.

This invention provides a novel self-propelled mobile seating device which is eccentrically movable relative to a pivot point. The amusement device occupies only the space defined by the disc-like base 12. Execution of the operation of the device is extremely simple, and no motor means, source of power, or gear or link mechanisms are involved except for the L-shaped steering shaft 32. Thus, the amusement device is one of simple structure rendering it economical to produce, inexpensive to purchase, and capable to extended reliable operation. Because the device is simple to operate and offers an infinite variety of patterns of travel, depending upon the users manipulation of the steering wheel, it is believed to be capable of providing a great deal of entertainment for extended periods of time.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Iclaim;

1. An amusement device comprising, a substantially horizontal base; a platform having depending caster means, said caster means being in rolling engagement with said base; a one-piece substantially L-shaped link means having one end form exerting a force against said steering means causes said platform to rotate about said upstanding leg with resultant reaction forces causing rotation of said one end of said link means about said hub means. 

1. An amusement device comprising, a substantially horizontal base; a platform having depending caster means, said caster means being in rolling engagement with said base; a one-piece substantially L-shaped link means having one end pivotally connected to vertical hub means fixedly mounted on the top surface of said base and having steering means associated with the other end of said link means; and said platform being pivotally connected to the upstanding leg of said link means whereby the reaction of an operator on said platform exerting a force against said steering means causes said platform to rotate about said upstanding leg with resultant reaction forces causing rotation of said one end of said link means about said hub means. 